25 Perfect Products

Available in sizes from 1.95-2.7 inches and for 26-inch, 29-inch and 650b wheel sizes, the Nevegal is that rare do-all tire: It sheds mud, grabs in loose-over-hardpack and grips in every situation save slick roots. The Nevegal is slow to spin up, but it wears well and is the one tire we've found to be useful on nearly every type of terrain.

We love Thomson's X4 and Elite because they're as close to setit-and-forget-it as they come. The Elite's two-bolt microadjust clamp is rock-solid and easy to use. The post also comes in a bajillion sizes and undergoes some of the best testing in the industry. Ditto the X4. At 30g lighter than the venerable X2, the stem is worthy of XC racers but can stand up to freeride landings. Beautiful machine work and simple, classic colors and graphics round it out.

If you overlook the company's M858 model and its SH52 cleats, the XTR pedal has remained a stalwart choice for all types of riding—from cross-country to downhill racing and everything in between. It's not the lightest pedal or the best at shedding mud, but one pair can survive at least three seasons of abuse—without maintenance. No other pedal can make this claim, and that's reason enough to have a set on your bike.

Fox sets the standard for shocks. The cross-country RP23 has brought platform technology to the masses in a simple-to-use package that allows the rider to adjust a few knobs to find a desired setting. It's the best execution of platform technology and the smoothest trail-riding air shock currently available. The downhill RC4 has external adjustability as well as high-and low-speed compression and a remarkable Boost Valve that delivers unmatched precision throughout its stroke.

We were initially impressed with XX as an XC race group: It has a super-low weight (about 400g lighter than Shimano's previous-generation XTR) and hyper-precise and fast shifting (particularly in front), in part due to SRAM's Zero Loss shifting technology which removes any dead throw in the shifters. But over time, XX has also proven to be more than capable on trail bikes and even lighter all-mountain bikes—the previously mentioned advantages translate well, the chain doesn't easily derail, and the group is tougher and less finicky than we anticipated. And, with SRAM's recent XX-like redesign of X0, X9 and X7, the best parts of XX are now available at more budget-friendly prices.

Anyone who's ever experienced the ear-piercing shriek of a poorly designed seatpost quick-release lever will appreciate the silent smoothness of the Syntace SuperLock. Its best-in-class clamping action comes from exacting German manufacturing tolerances and the use of an everlasting 1mm stainless-steel bushing. The shot-peened aluminum clamp's tight-fitting inner diameter prevents mud and crud from getting into the frame, and a nylon-lined alloy nut ensures consistent adjustment, clamp after clamp.

The MRP 1.X guide is perfect for those times when a few gears are all you need. There's nothing revolutionary about it. It's an arm, between the bottom bracket and frame, with an upper guide. There are no rollers, pulleys, bashrings or guards. It's a stripped-down chain-retention system for XC and trail bikes, and it works beautifully. It's well executed, light and simple, and it can make your bike lighter and simpler, too.

Shimano's XT crank is half the price of XTR but still packs the punch of its big brother. With hollow forged arms and an external bottom bracket, it's light enough for XC and durable enough to satisfy the demands of all-mountain and downhill abuse. Improvements keeping this classic at the front of the pack include a 10-speed option and new close-ratio ramped rings, improving on the already stellar shifting we've come to expect.

Ever since Greg LeMond won the 1986 Tour de France wearing a pair of oversize Eyeshades, Oakley has led the performance-driven sunglass market. The company still manufactures lenses in its Southern California headquarters and churns out precision optics for riders—and every other type of athlete—across the globe. Its latest trail-oriented model, the Jawbone, offers a trick (but simple) interchangeable lens system, comes in a dozen color options, and is available with polarized and Transition lenses, which adapt to changing light conditions. If you prefer wraparound shades, check out Oakley's Radar model. Either way, you can't go wrong.

Ten years after their introduction, DT Swiss 240 hubs still offer a performance package that's tough to beat. They aren't the lightest but they're close, and the star-ratchet freehub mechanism is upgradeable to a quicker 10 degrees for those who are sensitive to the slack in the system. Plus, its press-fit end caps accommodate almost any axle configuration. Add proven reliability to the equation and it's easy to see why the 240s reign supreme.

Not only does this little doodad take all the guesswork out of assembling a SRAM chain (thus keeping you safer on the trail), it's also cross-compatible with other manufacturers' products. Another bonus for all the link-polishers out there: It makes chain removal easy for cleaning (though the 10-speed version is a onetime-only item). Keep one in your pack for on-the-trail repairs.

King's 48g stainless steel cages bend (and rebend) to hold fast to varyingly shaped water bottles. Plastic or carbon cages may be lighter, but they'e also more brittle, more expensive and unbendable. As for durability, some of us have decade-old King Stainless cages that are as reliable as they were the day we bought them.

It takes one ill-timed slip of the grip to make a rider a lifelong fan of lock-ons. And when that happens, ODI's Ruffian is the one to choose. The company's most popular model, introduced in 1999, offers a slim, comfortable profile wrapped in knurled rubber for superior grip, even in the rain. The Lock-On system practically welds the grip to the bar and offers no-hassle removal when it's time to swap brakes or adjust shifters. It's the best $27 you'll ever spend on your bike.

When it comes to cross-country and trail riding, baggy shorts have always been more about fashion than function. But not any old pair will do (a concept some short makers fail to grasp). Royal's F-Tech, however, is everything a good pair of baggies should be. The fit and cut are just right: loose but not bulky; secure without being restrictive. The material is quiet, breathable and light with a good amount of stretch.

Flat pedals are good, but they become great when paired with the tacky Stealth rubber soles found on all of Five Ten's shoes. The tenacious grip lets riders use less-aggressive pedals, which in turn can save valuable shin skin. The Freerider's perfect amount of sole stiffness keeps your foot from wrapping around the pedal on hard landings yet gives plenty of feel for the pedal. They're so good that we sometimes turn to flats for super techy all-mountain rides—even those that include a lot of climbing. Plus, nothing makes more sense or works better when the trail forces a hike.

For a product intended to protect, Giro's Xen did a lot of damage when it was introduced in 2003. Namely, it shattered the notion that mountain bike helmets had to be either bulky motocross rip-offs or lightweight road imitations. The Xen offered much of the protection of heavier-duty moto and skate helmets while keeping weight to a minimum. Today, the helmet sets the bar for style and has influenced designs from nearly every other brand. This fall, it gets even better. The helmet is being replaced with an updated version,

If you have one hydration pack in your closet, it's probably the M.U.L.E.—versatile enough for allday rides, but small and light enough for a quick spin. We've watched for years as companies have tried—and largely failed—to best CamelBak's simple and elegant bite valve. But the pack construction, suspension system and cargo-carrying ability are what set the M.U.L.E. apart, even over other CamelBak systems.

It's hard not to love Easton's Haven carbon riser bar. It's stiff with a spot-on bend and the 711mm width provides a ton of leverage and stability. (Too wide for you? Cut it down.) But a lot of bars match the Haven's bend, width and stiffness. So what makes it so special? At well under 200g, it's as light as many (much narrower) XC bars.

Take a peek into your favorite bike shop's work area and you'll likely find a chrome Park TS-2 wheel truing stand. It's been the wheelbuilder's stand of choice for years—nothing comes close to delivering its durability, precision and ease of use. Park could have left the TS-2 as is, but last year updated it with stiffer and 29er-friendly arms, ergonomic knobs and rubber tips on the calipers to prevent rim scratching.

We scoffed at the telescoping Gravity Dropper seatpost when it launched seven years ago. Today, we can't imagine riding technical trails without it. Other designs do certain things better, like offer infinite adjustability or a cleaner remote lever, but the Gravity Dropper is still the most reliable of the bunch. Its purely mechanical design has no seals to leak or hydraulic valves to fail. Thanks to a new 30.9mmdiameter size, the Gravity Dropper is as good as a telescoping seatpost gets.

Chris King makes everything in-house—including its highly regarded bearings—and is well known for its dedication to quality and precision. So we appreciate the company's attention to one of the hardest-working and most-abused components on the bike: the lowly bottom bracket. However, what really sets the Chris King BB apart is the grease tool (remember the popular Grease Guard?), which allows for the routine purging of nasty contaminated grease and injection of fresh, clean lube. Keep those precise, high-quality bearings clean and happy and they'll last a long time.

Over the last few years, NoTubes, invented by Stan Koziatek, has singlehandedly replaced UST as the best and most-popular form of tubeless-wheel technology. While NoTubes offers some of the lightest race-specific mountain bike rims in the world, its ZTR Crest rims are the perfect middle ground between light weight and real-world dependability—something we can all appreciate. The latest Bead Socket Technology not only forms a tighter tire seal but also decreases rim-sidewall height, making the Crest lighter, stronger and more reliable. A 29-inch version is available for $88.

Arguably the best front suspension on the market today. Fox has a reputation for building forks that last and perform consistently through years of abuse and the offerings in this line live up to the reputation: great stiffness, excellent reliability and fantastic performance. Add options out the wazoo for travel, including the adjustable TALAS forks, and damper configurations—all while keeping the weight on the right end of the scale—and you have a winner. Bonus point: The 32 introduced the world to the 15mm quick release (using Shimano's bestever QR), which looks to be finally putting the nail in the coffin for the open dropout.

When we want a clean, lubricated and trouble-free chain, Rock "N" Roll's Extreme is the first lube we grab. A lightweight carrying agent delivers PTFE (Teflon) deep inside the chain where it's needed, then evaporates, leaving behind the lube and creating a "gel membrane" that resists dirt and moisture. That carrying agent also acts as a cleaner: A simple wipe down after application removes exterior dirt and leaves the chain shiny and ready for action.

Where would the singlespeed world be without this piece of chromed goodness? It's simple, durable and inexpensive; available in regular and heavy-duty versions; and ranges in size from 13 to 15 teeth (small metric threads) and 16 to 22 teeth (standard threads). When it gets dirty, pop it off and clean it in a dunk tank. Give it a little lube—no expensive overhaul here—and you'll see years of mileage. Note: The Crossfire, which replaces the Claws we came to love, promises to be as quick when it comes to engagement but also stronger, straighter and quieter. It's available for 1/8-and 3/32-inch chains.

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